CH 59.1

Most civilian transport spacecraft are equipped with one or more emergency escape doors for use in dangerous situations when the regular cabin doors cannot be opened. The K108 spacecraft is no exception. 

Prior to boarding the K108 spacecraft, Pei Zhaozhou reviewed the structural layout diagram sent via the intelligent network. He divided the rescue team into an assault team and a rescue team. The assault team, armed with guns, entered through the front right cabin door of the K108 spacecraft to confront any remaining star pirates inside. The rescue team, on the other hand, entered through a concealed escape door at the rear of the spacecraft, aiming to provide support from both ends and primarily rescue the remaining passengers.

Fully armed soldiers rushed into the K108 spacecraft, finding the entrance corridor empty, but there were numerous bloodstains and robot debris. Captain Barton, leading the team, reported via the communicator, “General Pei, the assault team has successfully entered the interior of the K108 spacecraft. However, we haven’t found any trace of star pirates or passengers. Based on the scene, there has been a battle, and it’s strange that civilian robots have also been destroyed.”

Pei Zhaozhou provided remote guidance and observed the interior of the spacecraft through the recording device carried by Captain Barton. He had a rough idea about the robot situation. When the K108 spacecraft’s signal was blocked initially, in order to save Assistant Jin, a virus was injected into the spacecraft system, causing the civilian robots to go berserk. It was likely that the star pirates ultimately destroyed all of these malfunctioning robots.

Pei Zhaozhou said, “The robot situation seems normal. The team should use infrared thermal sensors to detect if there are any star pirate ambushes ahead.”

The soldiers in the assault team activated the infrared thermal sensing function in their military helmets. Their vision turned red and blue, relying on both the terrain and temperature differences to guide their progress.

After cautiously advancing deep into the spacecraft, the soldiers in the assault team didn’t detect any abnormal situations, not even a single trace of a star pirate.

Captain Barton dispatched two scouts for further investigation, but they also reported no abnormalities.

“General Pei, everything seems normal. The team should continue moving forward.”

However, because everything appeared too normal, Pei Zhaozhou couldn’t shake off a feeling of suspicion. Outsiders were unaware that this star pirate hijacking incident was actually targeting him. Would the mastermind behind it simply stand by and wait until he found the evidence of their collaboration with the star pirates?

Deep in thought, Pei Zhaozhou lowered his gaze.

As the assault team continued their progress, the rescue team successfully broke through the escape door and entered the spacecraft for search and rescue.

“No one on the first floor.”

“No one in the control room.”

“No one on the public leisure floor.”

“No one on the second floor… third floor…”

“We’ve discovered a sealed compartment. Infrared thermal sensing shows no signs of life. Break down the door!”

To ensure absolute safety, the rescue team used tools to force open the door. Inside, they found several corpses that were not on the rescue list, likely belonging to the star pirates based on their clothing.

The room’s monitor had a red dot illuminated.

To eliminate the possibility of any star pirates hiding in the compartment, the rescue team meticulously searched every corner and confirmed there were no threats. They tentatively concluded that the scene resulted from an internal conflict among the star pirates.

“General Pei, the rescued passengers have not been found yet, but three star pirates’ bodies have been discovered. The mission continues.”

The team gradually came across several sealed compartments, as the instruments did not indicate any signs of life. The primary task was to rescue the remaining passengers alive inside the spaceship, so the doors of these sealed compartments were temporarily left closed.

“Let’s go, search the next level.”

A soldier looked at the sealed compartment doors and murmured, “It’s strange. Why are so many doors closed?”

“Perhaps the passengers closed the compartment doors to prevent the star pirates from entering,” someone speculated.

“But there are no living people inside the compartments. If the passengers wanted to escape, why would they lock the doors before leaving?”

“Maybe the ship’s system malfunctioned.”

Red dots illuminated different corners of the monitors.

Faces of the people entering the spaceship were secretly observed.

[Facial investigation… Non-target individuals…]

Pei Zhaozhou observed through the monitor, his brows gradually furrowing.

“Silver Arc, something seems off about the star pirate’s cause of death. Based on the footage provided by the soldiers, their fatal wounds are too clean and precise, as if they were struck down by someone in a single blow, rather than being consistent with the star pirate combat style.”

The smart brain, Silver Arc analyzed, “The rescue list includes several retired Imperial veterans. It’s possible that they engaged in a struggle with the star pirates during their escape. However, is the master suspecting the involvement of a third party?”

Pei Zhaozhou pressed his chin with his finger, his eyes deepening. “Perhaps I’m overthinking. Silver Arc, can you connect to the surveillance system of spaceship K108?”

The smart brain, Silver Arc paused for a moment and replied, “Master, the circuits of spaceship K108 have been damaged. The entire ship’s systems are currently inoperable, and we cannot monitor the internal conditions of the ship.”

Pei Zhaozhou’s gaze darkened suddenly, and he spoke in a low voice, “Silver Arc, do you really think it’s just a coincidence that the circuits were damaged?”

As a top-tier intelligent analytical brain, Silver Arc immediately provided data, “The accidental possibility of circuit damage is 20.87%, the possibility of damage caused by the star pirates is 43.89%, and the possibility of damage due to other factors is 35.22%.”

“The reason the star pirates would damage the circuits is to eliminate surveillance evidence and evade the consequences of Imperial law, but it’s highly likely that someone else has ulterior motives.”

The rescue team soldiers reached the lowest level of the spaceship and discovered the bound passengers. It was unclear how long they had been tied up, but many of the passengers were bony from hunger, lying on the ground barely conscious.

“We have found the rescue targets. Proceed with the rescue operation immediately.”

Just as the soldiers of the rescue team were examining and preparing to bring the passengers back to the rescue ship, a loud explosion echoed, indicating a possible internal explosion within the spaceship.

“What’s happening on the assault team’s side?”

“There’s an unidentified explosion in the reaction chamber. The assault team members are evacuating. Please rescue the passengers and leave as soon as possible.”

Through the communication device, cries for help from the assault team soldiers could be heard.

“Captain, the cabin door has melted due to temperatures exceeding 700 degrees. The door is currently jammed into the wall. We need to escape through the other side… However, there are several energy reactors placed inside the left cabin, which power the entire ship. If we don’t stop the fire immediately, it will soon spread to the reactors!”

“Once the energy furnace triggers an explosion, not only will we be unable to leave the spacecraft, but the rescue team on the other side will also be pressed for time and unable to save all the passengers.”

The scorching-hot left cabin made every member of the assault team sweat profusely. The captain anxiously gazed at the approaching flames and urgently inquired about the situation of the rescue team on the other side.

“How are things over there? How much longer until evacuation?”

“At least fifteen minutes. We are located in the bottom-level warehouse of the spacecraft, and it will still take over ten minutes to reach the nearest escape passage.”

Captain Barton of the assault team grew increasingly impatient. “What about the ship’s fire fighting system? There should be specialized firefighting and cooling equipment in the cabin, given the presence of such crucial and flammable energy furnaces!”

“No, the fire fighting system is unresponsive and unable to cool down!”

“Then… how long until the flames reach the energy furnace?”

“Three minutes.”

“Damn it! We won’t be able to escape in three minutes!”

“Barton, all members of the assault team retreat,” Pei Zhaozhou calmly commanded through the communicator.

“But what about the rescue team?”

“Within three minutes, I will pilot the Silver Arc mech to cut off the source of the fire. The Silver Arc mech can withstand temperatures up to 1,500 degrees Celsius. I have examined the internal structure of the cabin. Due to its safety function, the cabin is positioned on the left or right side of the spacecraft, closer to outer space. As long as we promptly cut off the entire left cabin from the rest of the ship, the crisis can be averted.”

Captain Barton’s eyes suddenly lit up. He had also heard of General Pei’s top-tier S-class mech, the Silver Arc. Not only could it withstand temperatures in the hundreds of degrees, but it was also impervious to high-energy electromagnetic cannons, small missiles, and the corrosive mouthparts of the insect race. It was truly the most formidable mech in the Empire.

“Very well, we’ll follow General Pei’s orders. Let’s evacuate first!”

On the rescue team’s side, a soldier supported a weak passenger and reassured him, saying, “Don’t worry, General Pei will be here soon. We’ll take you out first.”

The passenger, a man, weakly smiled, his dark eyes gleaming with a chilling light as he asked, “When you say General Pei, are you referring to Pei Zhaozhou?”

Although addressing the General directly by name seemed disrespectful, the soldier still nodded with a smile, “Yes, don’t worry. General Pei has been through so many battles; he will surely handle this situation.”

As this male passenger was one of the few still able to stand, the rest of the passengers were being carried out on stretchers almost in a state of unconsciousness. The soldier unintentionally ended up walking with this male passenger to the nearest escape door.

The soldier anxiously pulled the male passenger, wanting to hurry.

“Come on, we can’t stay here and obstruct General Pei.”

Unexpectedly, the male passenger was quite heavy, and for a moment, the soldier couldn’t move him. Annoyed, the soldier thought about just lifting the male passenger and dashing towards the nearest escape door.

“Look, is that Pei Zhaozhou’s mech?”

The silver-white mech resembled a shooting star in the night sky, wielded its weapon and collided with the metallic hull of the spacecraft. In no time, the impact caused the ship to sway, and the sharp sound of tearing echoed in the ears of the male passengers.

The soldier’s eyes sparkled with admiration and longing.

The male passenger gazed outside the window at the silver-white mech with lifeless eyes.

[Facial recognition… target identified…]

Soon, Pei Zhaozhou commandeered the silver arc mech and sliced off the entire cabin section. The powerful mech forcefully tore the cabin from the spacecraft. Temperatures exceeding seven hundred degrees could reduce a person and their bones to ashes, but they couldn’t even melt a single strand of the Silver Arc mech’s specially crafted metal shell.

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